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This Sunday, May 21st tour along waterfront, villages and backroads and stop along local creameries along the way. Be part of the SouthCoast Bike and Ice Cream Extravaganza! A sold out fundraising event for a rail trail to Marion and preservation of the Hammond Quarry property- 53 acres of scenic woodlands on the west side of Mattapoisett Neck Rd. Trust. I will be participating in the 25 mile route and recruited a few friends to come along, although I must admit this will be my first ride of the season but definitely not my last!! I will be looking forward to the finish at Munro Preserve to the live music, free massage, a cold brew from Buzzards Bay Brewery, and a bite to eat from the Oxcart and Seaport Slip. Lets hope this beautiful weather holds up! Thanks in advance to all the volunteers, organizers and sponsors that make this a fun and safe family oriented event!! Tour de creme link for details of the event

Hope to see you at the post-ride party! If you can’t make this event perhaps consider donating and go to the website for the different routes and get out and tour them this summer!! They have bike maps for 4 routes- 9 miler, 11 miler, 25 and for the ambitious a 50 mile route. Happy cycling!

What matters just as much as the beer selection of the bar you choose is the atmosphere.

There’s nothing worse than finally finding a place to grab a drink and expecting a cozy one on one setting and getting let down by the loud music. After my self-proclaimed bar crawl, I put together some quick details about noise levels, expectations, and vibes so you can find the bar that best suites you

The Inn is a classic – a place that both locals and tourists love. If you’re looking for a place that you can take the family with a bar atmosphere, stop by the Inn. The Inn ropes off the bar section from the restaurant side although the food, warmth from the fire, and live music is easily shared on both sides. Another important factor to choosing the right bar – the noise level. At the Inn you don’t have to yell at the person across the table from you to pass the ketchup. The cozy vibe creates an intimidate soft atmosphere for all age groups to enjoy.

The first thing you’ll notice when you walk into the Rose Alley Ale House is the ceiling full of hanging glass mugs. These mugs belong to locals who have tried 28 different beers during the month of February – a beer for each day of the month. Unlike the Inn, the Rose Alley Ale House is more of a bar and less of a restaurant. Conversations can be heard around the bar, but not to the point where you can’t hear your own. One cool thing is that some of their beers are sold with a flight size glass option. At the Rose Alley Ale House you can feel comfortable going in alone to grab a beer and watch some TV or stop by with a small group to try some local beers.

A bar. The Pour Farm Tavern is a “I need to pull out my phone to see” dim lit bar – adding to it’s character. Hanging above their bar is had a ceiling full of mugs for locals that are apart of their beer club – similarly to the Rose Alley Ale House . With a sign to the left of the bar reading “PFT.. where you come in with good intentions.. And leave with none…” and a coffee machine to the right – this bar means business. The Pour Farm Tavern is that bar for long one on one conversations with your “BFF – Beer, Food, and Fun.”

Right across the street, but with a completely different vibe than the Pour Farm Tavern – the Greasy Luck is a busy and bustling restaurant. Although a brewery, the Greasy Luck is a also a full-functioning restaurant with a wide selection of food options. Unlike the Inn, you might have to yell to get some ketchup for your fries – it’s loud. The Greasy Luck was a nice ending to our self-proclaimed bar crawl with it’s perfect combination of food with a bar atmosphere.

Make 2017 the year to be the best you can be! Here’s to health and happiness. Here are some great options to enjoy the outdoors on the SouthCoast. Act like a child on the first snow, go out and make a snow angel. That is what I did one year, was afraid I wouldn’t get back up but it was so much fun ! Make a snow fort or build a snowman.

Snow is in the forecast for the weekend, how perfect! Get out your snowshoes or cross country ski’s and get outside. A few years back we went to the High School to do some cross country skiing. Another great option is @Nasketucket Bay State Park located off Brandt Beach Road in town. It offers wooded trails or stay on the main cleared trail. Parking is free and does not require a town sticker.

Sunday, January 8th is the kick off for the New Bedford Fitness Challenge– Registration is only $5 and for 3 months weekly programs will be offered to help you get fit, enjoy community fun. The kick off 11am – 4 pm at the Boys and girls club, 166 Jenny Street, in New Bedford. A full day of fitness classes, yoga, massage, exhibits, health screenings, wellness classes, food and door prizes. Get a group together and start the program together. Enhance your mood, focus, and overall health. Make this a priority for 2017. During the 3 months the challenge will include fitness classes, nutrition, reiki, meditation and many ways to develop the healthier you.

The state reservation offers 210 acres shoreline, open field and wooden trails. Dogs love it there too! Nothing like getting outdoors, exercising and getting the dogs out on the beach and trails (please pick up after your pets).

No need to hibernate till Spring, get outside!!! More updates on how to best enjoy the New England Winter to come. #Getoutdoors #Mattapoisettliving #NasketucketBayStatePark #Crosscountryskiing #SouthCoastMA #Playinginthesnow #getfit #betteryouin2017 #newbedford

Family Fun events on the South Coast

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Keeping it local, bring family and friends to the Tinkhamtown Chapel Annual Carol Sing –Saturday December 17 – 5pm The chapel dates back to 1889 and is located on the corner lot between Tinkham Lane and Acushnet Road. A definite way to get in the holiday spirit.

New Bedford Family Holiday Pops and Showstoppers, photo from AHA New Bedford

Let your holiday sparkle!

New Bedford Family Holiday Pops– Holiday season Tradition on the South Coast at the Zeiterion Theater – Saturday, December 17th 3:30 and 7pm showings

Destination New Bedford- Holiday Happenings- Saturday, December 17

Custom House Square- Downtown New Bedford

Events begin with New Bedford Winter Farmers’ Market- 10am-1pm

Then the family fun begins with FREE horse drawn carriage rides, life size Elf on the Shelf, demonstrations and music by New Bedford Harpoon Harmonizers. All events are weather permitting so check the website for updates.

The Alpaca Farm Store will be open so get some warm and cozy socks, mittens or hats!

The Alpaca’s will be there to say Hello – Demonstrations and light refreshments

A child memory- Christmas Festival of Lights at Edaville Railroad. A lot has changed from my Christmas visits now the park offers over 17 million lights. The train is what I remember and such a memorable New England Tradition. Check link above for event calendar and pricing. Discounts if you visit Monday – Wednesday

The Polar Express Train Ride is a true family fun experience. Located at 70 Main Street, Buzzards Bay. True Polar Express experience and SANTA appearance check link for available train ride schedules and pricing.

Plymouth Plantation- 2 great holiday events

Celebrate a holiday season set back to 1622- event takes place over 1/2 mile of mixed terrain so dress appropriately – info on plymouth plantation website link above for tickets or call 508-746-1622 x 8359

Sunday is my meal prep day and I needed some produce for my soup, fortunately it was the Saturday that the indoor market was being held at ORR, Old Rochester Regional Junior high for those not familiar. The ORR Indoor Farmers’ Market is held in the Junior High gymnasium in Mattapoisett on the 2nd and 4th Saturday from 10am-1pm. With exception to December 24th. Next market is January 14, 2017. Mark your calendars.

Keeping it Local- Organics! ORR Indoor Farmers’ Market

I was able to get organic Rainbow chard and leek that I needed for the soup from Skinny Dip Farm. They had plenty of salad green options so I grabbed a bag of spinach too. Skinny Dip Farm is located in Westport, MA and Little Compton, RI and are certified organic.

If your in charge of dessert, or need to bring a dish no need to bake. A nice choice is Moira’s chicken or meat pies. Owner Moira Walker bakes up some very tempting pies, savory and sweet. The photo features some of her hand held pie options. Cash only.

Moira’s Fantasy Tree a great hostess gift can be ordered 508-676-2766

Sippican River Farms offers warm and cozy items made from Alpaca fleece. They will be hosting their 3rd Annual Open House on December 18th from 11-4 and the Alpaca Farm store will be open to purchase available socks, hats, mittens and assorted gifts. Say Hello to the Alpacas and view a fiber processing demonstration. Sippican River Farms is located at 32 Bates Road, Rochester, MA.

Today I took my dog for a walk on Goodspeed Island. I go there often but wanted to get some photos of foliage, today the foliage was peak! The Island offers a town beach, one of 5 town beaches available for residents to enjoy. What makes this spot special is the road has limited vehicle access, only town authorized vehicles and residents on the Island, currently only 2 properties, can drive on the Island. Along the way you have beautiful views of Eel Pond and Reservation Golf course on your right and inner harbor views on your left. A great location for bird watchers, nature lovers or dog walks.

Currently the Shellfish beds are closed but often you can see quohoging activity in the harbor, and blue crab fishing along the river’s edge.

Goodspeed Island

Godspeed Island Beach

Get out and explore it today! Parking is available at the Depot Street parking lot. Please keep it beautiful.

Autumn …. one of my favorite seasons in New England. Love the changing of colors and the cooler evenings. Yesterday I found myself searching for some mums and pumpkins and headed out to Rochester only to find East over Farmstead closed and no site of pumpkins. I have great memories of taking my girls there every year to ride the hay wagon to the pumpkin patch to pick their favorite pumpkin. Then returning back from the patch to the farm to have cider and pet the horses.

I come across some cyclists taking in the beauty of Rochester, a great place to bike!

I then headed over to Cervelli’s Farm. I was hoping to catch a photo of their pumpkin patch but all the pumpkins had been picked and are available at the farm stand on Vaughan Hill Road. The farm stand had a variety of pumpkins, mums and of course fresh veggies.

Searching for the perfect Pumpkin

Shop Local Farm Stands

Farm stand- Rochester MA

My trek continued to get some fresh apples and a strawberry rhubarb pie for my dad so headed to Flying Cloud Orchards on Main street in Acushnet. Nothing like a crisp apple!

My trip finished with a local farmstead on Acushnet Road in Mattapoisett. Love supporting the local farmers!

sunflowers- $4/bundle Local Farmstead- Acushnet Rd Mattapoisett

local farmstead in Mattapoisett

support local farmers!

Enjoying my sunflowers, apples, mum and pumpkins and I am sure my dad will enjoy his pie! Afterwards I felt lazy should have gone by bike! Next time….